Underneath Alliance City, a layer of crimson flesh and crushed white bones have accumulated. Countless monsters have perished under the fierce bombardment. The once excited gazes have turned numb. The first wave of combatants had to be immediately replaced and given rest as the high-intensity operation threatened to push them to the brink of mental collapse.
The monsters have advanced to the city walls near Alliance City. New means of combating them have appeared before Bexia. The alchemists of the Alchemy Guild have prepared various items, with the giant puppets and magical puppets being the main focus. Often, the attacks of these giant puppets or magical puppets can effortlessly clear out a group of low-level monsters. However, there are also powerful monsters hiding in the shadows, launching surprise attacks.
Apart from the puppets and magical puppets engaged in direct combat, the majority are destructive magical gadgets or powerful poisons. However, such items do not discriminate between friend and foe. They are usually carried by the puppets and released within the horde of monsters. Otherwise, if the horde is not taken care of, friendly forces could be rendered helpless by the poison.
The Elementalists Guild and the Adventurers Guild are also providing support, taking over from the exhausted soldiers. Bexia stands on the city walls, casting one spell after another into the horde of monsters. Almost every spell can take away one or several lives from the monsters. Though it seems successful, facing the relentless tide-like presence, Bexia feels an overwhelming sense of powerlessness for the first time, a power that cannot be countered on the battlefield.
The personnel defending the city walls are being replaced in quick succession, as the rotation speed accelerates in the continuous battles. Those who have not rested or recovered have no choice but to join the battle again. This cycle continues, and the defensive capabilities of Alliance City have declined steadily. The flood of monsters is about to break through to the city under Alliance City.
The puppets and magical puppets have also become weak. Despite their enormous size and formidable strength, they are worn down by the monsters. After exhausting all their energy, they are reduced to piles of debris. Looking at the horde of monsters that seem to have no end, everyone knows that this is only just the beginning.
The rain has also ceased. Without the cover of rainwater, the smell of blood begins to stimulate every living being present. However, the true cruelty has only just begun.
"Ah!" Suddenly, someone screams. A black shadow flashes across the sky, and the soldier who screamed struggles in mid-air, ultimately being thrown into the horde of monsters by a giant flying monster. The consequences are self-evident.
"Everyone, be careful of the sky!"
The ground is already difficult to defend, and now monsters with flight capabilities appear in the sky. When they look up, it is also a dark mass. Originally, flying monsters could not come out during heavy rain, but now that the heavy rain has stopped, troublesome flying monsters have started to appear. The already weary guards become even more incapable of defense.
"All ranged fighters, switch to support combat! The rest, engage in close-quarters combat!" Captain Kono draws his knight sword from his waist and jumps off the city walls, with everyone following closely behind.
"Charge!" Kono swings his knight longsword, slashing a gigantic sword aura towards the menacing monster in front of him, instantly clearing a small vacuum area.
His action ignites the second, bloodiest phase of the war. Numerous people jump off the small city walls, forming the final barrier against the horde of monsters.
Life is both tenacious and fragile, with death playing out every moment. There are also those who fight tooth and nail, as the blossoms of life unfold, vibrant like a deathly display.
Grim scars serve as proof of the journey towards death, while hope accumulates bit by bit through the blade in one's hand. Bexia seemed to feel a special force stirring within him. His blood boiled once again under the cold rain, as if an infinite power converged upon him from all sides. Specks of golden light awakened from his blood, resurrecting the "Battle God's Will" hidden within his subspace. It, too, seemed to awaken under this power, breaking free from the shackles of subspace, floating beside him. The golden glow shone like the bright sun illuminating the world.
Resolve!
The will to fight!
Bexia felt a profound power. Countless fragments flashed through his mind, and the golden "Battle God's Will" contributed its final bit of strength, like the last stone breaking the tranquil lake.
"Battle God's Will!"
"Ah—!" Bexia suddenly roared, as the golden brilliance soared skyward, dazzling against the dark firmament. Several flying monsters that were closer to him in the sky were stunned to death before they could react.
Bexia sensed an almost infinite power, but suddenly, the radiant light vanished. The explosive force disappeared as well. The entire world fell into an eerie silence. The ground beneath his feet turned into invisible darkness, rippling slightly as he moved.
"Ding dong—!"
A crisp sound echoed through the black ripple. Bexia followed the sound and saw a figure, holding an umbrella, slowly approaching him through the darkness. Those crimson eyes revealed a predatory look.
She was not Lady Cloud!
She wore a white inner shirt with petal-like cuffs, a red checkered vest, and a knee-length red skirt. Her red boots made a "tata—" sound in the darkness.
Although it seemed dangerous, a feeling similar to that when facing Lady Cloud welled up from within him. It was an intense feeling! A sensation buried deep in his bones, so natural, as if it should be this way.
"Um... sister!" Bexia was uncertain about the other person's identity, but from their previous chat with Lady Cloud, he had learned a bit. He knew he had more than one sister, so Bexia tentatively spoke.
"…Oh!" After observing Bexia for a while, she finally spoke softly. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Bexia suddenly felt a jolt. The other person was already standing in front of him, almost the same height, their two pairs of eyes— crimson and pitch-black— locked in a gaze.
"Usually, you would call me Sister Four Seasons..."
"...Sister Four Seasons!" Bexia whispered, then he felt a softness on his chest. Four Seasons had already hugged him, her cheek pressed against his, as a strong floral aroma invaded his senses. Many images with Four Seasons appeared in his mind.
"Sister Four Seasons!" Even if he couldn't recall the specific memories, why did those images flash in his mind? Bexia reached out and embraced Four Seasons, feeling the tranquility and worry-free aura emanating from her.
"I originally intended to help you with this little power, but I changed my mind now. Your safety is the most important after all, considering that none of us are by your side..." the words of Four Season gradually vanished, and Bexia suddenly felt emptiness in her arms...
